History of Seneca County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, school, churches, industries, etc., portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of the Northwest territory; history of Ohio; statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc, Part 42

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1088


USA > Ohio > Seneca County > History of Seneca County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, school, churches, industries, etc., portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of the Northwest territory; history of Ohio; statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc > Part 42


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140


Cunningham, G. W.


Landon. Alfred*


Ryan, P. II.


Crawford, W. J. Chamberlain. S. Cramer, D. F. Chamberlain, J.


Lamkin, Charles*


Rickenbaugh, S.


Crooks, Henry Crissel, W. J .*


Hall, L. A .* Huddle, Lewis


Loesser, John*


Rogers, R. H.


Conaghan, Joseph


Helderbrake, J. Hamilton, E. L. Herold. William Huth, Adam Holtz, Jacob P. Heilman. John


Myers, Michael


Randall, Edward


Cromer, Thomas#


Myers. P. P .*


Reeme, Benjamin C.


Cramer, Daniel


McClelland, H.


Sullivan, M .*


Dildine, William M .* Horton, L. S .*


Mueller, Christ Sneath, A. G .*


Skinner, M. P .*


Dorsey, Stephen* Dutt, John


Hall, Horace" Heilman, John F.


Marquardt, J. F. Martin, Melkiah*


Shawhan, R. W.


*Deceased.


Myers, D. C .*


Robinson, J. T.


Martin, John W.


Reinbolt, Charles


Cramer, U. F. Childs, Edward


Good, Reuben Gilbert, Samuel* Goodsell, D J. Gwynn. John* Geyer, Charles Huss, John T .* Huss. George R. Huber, Horace* Hartsock, Dorsey Hartman, J. G. Holtz, Dennis


Loose, John H.


Pecher, S. J.


Lease, L. N.


Rice, John


Lantz, John W.


Rickenbaugh, J.


Letterhos. Joseph*


Rawson, Abel*


Lamberson, William* Ruess, A. J. Livers, Thomas J. Rust, H.


Corthell, George*


Fry, F. J.


Keifer, Moses


Owen, C. G.


Galbraith, William


Keubler, B.


Ogle, Thomas


Gibson, W. H.


Kern, Isaac


Lutz, G. W.


Byers, Philip


Foncannon, M.


Kaull, J. M.


Ourand, T. W.


376


HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.


Sullivan, E .*


Schultz, Peter


Spencer, Charles J.


Weirick, Levi


Smoyer, William


Tomb, Benjamin*


Wenner, H. S.


Seney, George E. Smith, D. S. Steinau, A. St. John, I. L.


Shawhan, F. K.


Tomb, Thomas B.


Weirick, Jesse*


Seitz, Christian


Tunison, D. C.


Wisler, Lewis


Scheib, Philip Tokayer, P.


Wales, John 2d


Stoner, S. H.


Strong, Jesse#


Titus, R. R. Troxel, Charles


White, John D. White, John S.


Snyder, Justin*


Searles, H. Seigley, Benjamin


Utz, Samuel


Weaver, John B.


Sneath, S. B.


Six, Levi


Umsted, N. Vorndran, John


Weller, John


Slaymaker, F. Souder, Jolin W.


Snook, C .*


Vollmer, Joseplı*


Swander, D. J.


Sonder, H. H.


VanNest, Peter*


Smith, V .*


Staub, Joseph G.


VanNette, B. N.


Stoner, John A.


Shetenhelm, G .*


Virts, William H.


Sexton, M.


Sager, Jackson


Swigert, John


Smith, Henry


White, L. Weller, Henry J.


Spindler, H. C .*


Swander, Edward H.


Shaull, John M.


Stickney, E. T.


Wagner, Frank Watson, J. L.


Young, Jacob Zahm, J. M .* Zeigler, John Zeller, O. C.


The Grange Organization .- In the fall of 1873 the Grange movement was introduced into the county by J. W. Barrack, organizing deputy, and others. The Melmore Grange was the first organized, September 16, 1873, with E. Shoemaker, M., and R. McMartin, secretary. The Grange at Tiffin followed, November 29, 1873, with C. C. Park, M., and William Miller. secretary. Grand Rapids Grange and Seneca Grange, were organized December 20, 1873. Mayflower Grange No. 290, was organized December 22. 1873, with John Greer, M., and J. R. Higgins, secretary. Palo Alto Grange was organized December 20, with Jeremiah Rex, M. Republic Grange, Green Spring Grange and Fostoria Grange were organized in January, 1874, with William Baker, R. H. Slaymaker and Montgomery Noble, Masters, respectively. Bloom Grange No. 510, Harmony Grange (Reed Township), Thompson Cen- tre Grange, Loudon Grange and Venice Grange were all organized in the spring of 1874. and, with the farmers' circles mentioned above, must be consid- ered the pioneers of a movement which occupied a great deal of public atten- tion, if it did not actually become a problem of political economy. Seneca County Council, Patrons of Husbandry, was organized at Tiffin, November 27, 1874, with the following members: C. C. Park, James Patterson, A. L. Shafer, S. B. Resh, W. Hyter, O. S. Watson, J. W. Barrack, J. W. Souder, D. M. Neikirk, William Derr, W. H. Miller and F. Baker.


Stock Breeders' Association .- The Northwestern Ohio Association, for the im- provement of stock, was organized at Clyde, March 22, 1865, with J. L. Greene, of Sandusky, president; T. H. Bagby, of Seneca, secretary; Michael Sullivan, of Seneca, treasurer, and Samuel Herrin, of Seneca, a member of the directors' board.


Short-horn Breeders' Association Meeting .- A meeting was held at the court house, February 26, 1881, pursuant to call, for the purpose of organiz- ing a Short-horn Breeders' Association. The following named persons became members: E. T. Stickney, George Holtz, D. W. Brown, Jeremiah Neikirk, J. W. Keller, Peter Haefling, E. B. Ferree, George Weed, Joseph Shaw and John Wales. A temporary organization was effected by electing George Holtz, president: J. W. Keller, vice-president, and H. J. Weller, secretary.


Bee Keepers' Association .- About 1861, the movable comb bee-hive was in- troduced in the county by J. T. Martin, who, in 1868, with others interested in bee culture, made an effort to organize a society. This effort failed. March 16, 1884, a society was formed with eighteen members, representing 260 colonies of bees. The election of officers followed, resulting in the elec- tion of E. J. C. Troxel as president. J. L. Fisher, vice-president, J. T. Mar-


*Deceased.


Schneider, Clem


Wade, Washington


Schrickel, Fred


Yerk, J. S.


377


HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.


tin, secretary, William C. Hamilton, treasurer, and M. Holtz, J. L. Fisher and J. T. Martin, executive committee. In 1867 the Bolin apiary was established in Reed Township. From one swarm, in 1867, the industry increased to 125 separate swarms.


The Clinton Protectives Society was organized at Tiffin, January 2, 1846. Lewis Baltzell, D. F. Cramer and William Lang formed the committee. Thomas Lloyd was president in 1857, Benjamin Tomb, treasurer, and R. W. Shawhan, captain. This society has changed merely in name since that early date. In its advertisement calling the attention of horse thieves, it says: "The ‘Seneca Horse Guards' were organized years ago; have never permitted a thief to get away with a horse stolen from the society, but one; has a sufficient fund on hand for all practical purposes, and is in every way ready at all times for any emergency. We would suggest that it might be well for horse thieves to make a note of these facts, and file it away for future reference." The officers are C. C. Park, president, A. J. Davidson, secretary, Samuel Koch, treasurer.


The members of this association in 1884-85 were:


Arbogast, Michael


Boes, Frank


Fry, Frank J.


Haugh, T. F. Huth, Nicholas


Abbott, Frank


Bigger, D. D.


Fry, O. J.


Arnold, J. L.


Bacon, W. S.


Fry, P. H.


Heilman, John


Anderson, Anson


Blasius, Martin


Fruth, John N.


Hunter, John


Arnold, J. W.


Brewer, N. L.


Fruth, F. M.


Haines, Erastus M.


Abbott, A. L.


Bogart, Jesse


Falkner, Benjamin


Hile, John Helfrick, Albert


Adams, Jacob A.


Bercaw, Silas


Fraver, John


Acker, George D.


Conaghan, Joseph


Flumerfelt, Charles


Hershy, Luther C.


Bowersox, Jacob


Conaghan, H. D.


Fritz, William C.


Heating, Lafayette


Baker, W. H.


Cahill, John


Fanning, J. F. E.


Iler, Conrad


Baker, F. A.


Clark, John L.


Feabels, George


Ink, Charles W.


Baker, John W.


Conrad, Reuben


Fox, Philip Guernsey, Lucius


Koch, Samuel Knight, Thomas


Baker, Rufus M.


Creeger, Henry W.


Gillig, Joseph


Kaull, William Kaull, J. M.


Baker, Samuel


Cook, A. P.


Gillis, Michael


Keller, John W.


Bender, L. F.


Cobly, Frank A.


George, Stephen


Kinzer, Gottlieb


Britt, John


Corbet, Martin


Gehris, Peter


Kiser, Samuel


Beard, John F.


Crum, Oliver


Galbreath, William


Koerper, Michael


Bowser, Thomas B.


Cramer, Claridon


Glenn, F. J.


Keef, John


Byrne. Edward Best, Henry L.


Doran, C. W. Davidson, Henry


Goetschins, Evan Goetschins, George R. Kepple, Henry D.


Burnside, Joseph W.


Davidson, H. C.


Holtz, Jacob P.


Kishler, George W. Kemp, Philip Krupp, John


Barrack, John W.


Davidson, G. W.


Holtz, John


Kiser, Daniel


Barrack, George W.


Davidson, A. J.


Holtz, George


Kinney, Bartholomew


Barrack, Simon F.


De Witt, H. S.


Huss, Jacob S.


Kieffer, Adam


Barrack, Luther C.


Derr, David H.


Hyter, William


Kramer, Franklin


Bare, James M.


Deily, Allison Dunn, Alington


Huber, Eugene


Loose, Daniel


Brendle, Jacob


Derr, Dennis F. Doran, James


Houck, Ezra


Lonzway, Joseph


Bernard, Aaron


Detterman, George


Holt, William


Lonzway, Sylvester


Bloom, W. H.


Engler, W. M.


Heck, John


Lonzway. Julius J.


Bloom, Jacob


Egbert, J. W.


Haines, A. Horn, Samuel


Lang, William


Bagby, T. H.


Einsel, Lewis


Hepler, George


Lang, Walter O.


Brown, A. G.


Eakin, Samuel Eakin, Perry


Hoffbauer, Joseph Heninger, H. H. Harley, Daniel


Leidy, J. C.


Burger, David


Eastman, William S.


Hunker, Jacob J.


Lawhead. J. W.


Bowersox, Daniel


Emerine, Lawrence


Hoover, Jacob


Livers. T. J.


Bennehoff, Henry Brown, J. S.


Einsel, William Funk, J. H.


Hunker, Mathias


Litzenberger, T.


Balliet, Joseph


Derr, John T.


Haefling, Peter


Loose, E. J.


Buchman, John


Bridenbaugh, John A. Downs, Lemuel


Huber, John


Loose, John H.


Bihm, Frank


Houck, Isaac, Jr.


Lonzway, Lewis


Bernard, G. P.


Dippelhofer, Andrew Houck, Peter


Lonzway, Joseph A.


Bernard, C. C.


Dilliplain, Brown


Bloom, A. J.


Egbert, N. D.


Houck, Henry


Loose, William H.


Barrack, William


Davidson, William H.Holtz, Dennis


Holtz, Charles D.


Kesecker, Andrew W.


Baker, Silas W.


Cupp, E. B.


Baker, Frank


Crum, Elias W.


Grummell, Fredrick


Kagy, Isaac


Lutz, F. K. Lutz, B. F.


Beard, Charles S.


378


HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.


Littler, Austin C.


Price, J. H.


Staib, Jacob


Theis, Michael Tintsman, Morris


Lytle, Chas W. Lumberjack, John Latham, J. S.


Pittenger, D. C.


Staib, Eugene


Unser, John


Peters, David


Staib, Herman


VanNette, Brognard


McClellan, Robert


Powel, Andrew


Sexton, Myron


VanNette, Kate


McClellan, Walter


Patterson, James


Stinchcomb, James


VanNette, Westley


Mcclellan, W. B.


Pennington, T. J.


Rumslaugh, Barnhart Strausbaugh, A. B.


Marscha, Andrew


Reynolds, L.


Strause, Stephen Schubert, Herman


Wickerham, Peter


Miller, Adam


Rickenbaugh, B. P.


Shultz, Peter Souder, John W. Shumaker, George


Welly, Michael


Miller, W. W.


Rex, Jeremiah


Shock, Henry M.


Welly, Thomas


Michaels, Leroy


Reidelpach, Donard Rickets, Milton D.


Sherman, Eldridge Seney, George E. Swigert, Aaron


Weirick, E. B. Weirick, John B.


Martin, Chas.


Rohrer, Elias W. Reed, William L.


Shaffner, William Staufer, David Scott, George D.


Wannemacher, S. G.


Martin, George M.


Ruse, Solomon K. Reiff, J.


Swabley, Gustus


Wolf, Solomon


Moore, John W.


McNamee, John


Reininger, Gustavus Rhoades, Joseph Rice, John


Smith, Martin


Whalen, T. F.


Noble, Harrison


Rice, Henry, Jr.


Saul, Jesse


Warner, J. W.


Norris, William


Rhuly, Christian


Starky, Alexander


Wood, J. J. Williams, Adams


Nepper, Charles


Rosenberger, Jacob


Seigley, W. W.


-Young. George Yeager, J. C. Zook, Abram


Ogle, Joseph


Shannon, George


Sheidler, B. F.


Zimmerman, Jacob


O'Connor, Timothy


Swander, Edward


Spitler, John K.


Zimmerman, Hiram


Oller, J. W.


Swander, E. H.


Stackhouse, BenjaminZimmerman, J. B.


Park, C. C.


Swander, E. T.


Thom, John


Park, T. L.


Swander, D. J.


Titus, R. R.


Price, Daniel


Staib, Jacob


Trout, S. D.


Seneca County Teachers' Institute .- The last meeting of the institute, and, as it is stated, its most important meeting, was held at Republic, August 17, 1885, in response to the call of the following named officers:


H. C. Ostien, president; J. M. Collier, secretary; Grant S. Lott, Ella Rhoades, Ethel Stewart, executive committee.


Following is a list of those in attendance, and members of the institute:


J. W. Knott, Tiffin; B. B. Hall, Milan: J. D. Luse. Mentor; C. H. Shock, Bloomville; Z. E. Rutan, Republic; W. H. Patterson, Bloomville; B. R. Mil- ler, Tiffin; B. W. Knepple, Morris: A. Weinandy. Adrian; L. T. Montgomery, Fort Seneca; Albert Shuman, Tiffin; S. H. Gettinger, Green Spring; S. H. Kimmel. W. H. Egbert, Tiffin; E. C. Palmer, Republic; J. S. Good, Fostoria; R. B. Harris, Green Spring; Mrs. Z. E. Rutan, Republic; Dora Berry, Re- public; J. D. Groesbeck, Bloomville; John L. Cole, Republic; W. Robenalt, Republic; Della Waterman, Bellevue; Cora Shadle, Bellevue; Ressie Robinson, Republic; Laura Laughrey, Republic; Addie Lapham, Republic; Clara Nei- kirk, Republic; Kittie Anway, Republic; Douglas Brown, Republic; John A. Colwell, Republic; Nora Shaw, Republic; Mary Stroh, Republic; Marietta Brown, Republic; Eva Stewart, Republic; Clara Roop, Attica; Flora Lepard, Attica: May Rogers, Reedtown; T. E. Wyant, West Lodi; Hat Cutler, Repub- lic; May Seiple, Bloomville; E. A. Kelly, Siam; L. J. Todd, Attica: Amelia Sauer, Tiffin; Eva Bacher, Tiffin; Mrs. M. E. Zartman, Tiffin; J. R. Sherman, Milan; Mrs. J. Sherman, Milan; R. B. Drake, Attica; O. A. Lake, Attica: J.


MeClellan, S. C.


Potteiger, James C.


Strausbaugh, Henry Strausbaugh, Joseph


Wank, John Wank, Joseph


Miller, Daniel


Reohrer, Benoni


Werline, Simon


Miller, Peter


Rickenbaugh, Samuel Schubert, John


Welly, Joseph Wall, Nicholas


Miller, N. A.


Remele, John A.


Miller, John K.


Rex, William


Welly, Henry


Mutschler, Charles


Mangus, Charles P.


McEwen, Jesse


Rumslaugh, Henry Ridgely. John H.


Strausbaugh, George


Wilson, E. W.


Neely, Jesse


Noble, Warren P.


Smith, John


Walter, Joseph


Norris, John T.


Rhuly, D. E.


Searls, C. F.


Nighswander, Martin Reeme, B. C.


Swartzmiller, John


Newcomb, V. D. Owen, Charles G.


Reinhart, Martin


Stultz, James


Shumaker, Abraham Zeiser, Andrew


Seifert, Philip


Smith, Henry


Watson, Robert H.


Warnament, J. B.


Warnament, Nicholas


Martin, Absalom


Pittenger, John


Staib, Christian


White, John D.


Magers, J. E.


Watson, Oliver S.


379


HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.


M. Collier, Bellevue; W. H. Stephenson, Attica; S. J. Beeghly, Attica: Belle Michner, Attica; Icedore Huffman, Attica; Alice Sanford, Attica; William Kassing, Jr., Fostoria; David Hilsinger, Republic; E. C. Hardman, Clyde; Minnie Nye, Bloomville; L. D. Bevington, Bloomville; C. D. Fisher, Bloom- ville; I. L. Stinebaugh, Rockaway; F. L. Bowser, Tiffin; J. J. De Witt, Tiffin; Mattie Cummings, Republic; Cora Cummings, Republic; I. J. Hoffman, Republic; M. J. Feasel, Bettsville; Grant Lott, Bettsville; Burton Ramsburg, Republic; Della Wilcox, Republic; G. A. Allen, Melmore: Lizzie Shooffner, Bloomville; Vesta Geiger, Bloomville; Minnie Stewart, Bloomville; Irena Olds, Bloomville; Alice Bowman, Bloomville; Luella Bare, Tiffin; Lallie Hoke, Fort Seneca; Florence Moore, Plymouth; Ida Sidel, Fostoria; Nellie Henry. Fos- toria; F. J. Stinchcomb, Tiffin; L. Anway, Republic: Fannie Pettys, Republic; D. P. McCarty, New Riegel; F. M. Worley, New Riegel; S. M. Kime, Tiffin; F. R. Mann, Tiffin; E. D. Klose, West Lodi; S. F. Lebold, Attica; Ella King, Morris; Katie Lynch, Tiffin; Addie Bloom, Tiffin; Emma Kuhn, Tiffin: Mollie McCarty, New Riegel; Amelia Dreitzler, Fostoria: J. B. Smith, Republic; J. Hill, Tiffin: G. M. Hoke, Fort Seneca: Charles Lewis, Bloomville; Charles Lee, Clyde; Nellie Green, Fostoria; Nettie Green, Attica; Nellie Chittenden, Attica; Hannah Kemp, Attica; Leora Moore, Republic; Becca Boling, Republic; Hattie Jordan, Republic; Lula Boling, Republic; Mary Good, Tiffin; Theresa Pittenger, Tiffin: H. C. Ostein, Republic; L. A. Ostein, Republic; Libbie Eastman, Republic; Ollie England, Republic: Myrta Ellitt, Republic; Joseph- ine Meier, Republic; T. T. Beaver, Clyde; E. H. Good, Bellevue; E. E. Mefford, Clyde; Aggie Breneman, Fort Seneca; Jennie Littler. Fort Seneca; Laura Hodge, West Lodi; Mrs. George W. Kimmel, Fostoria; Ella S. Emmick, Tiffin; Katie Kime, Tiffin; Alta Keating, Tiffin; M. L. Mckibben, Republic; A. B. Stewart, Bloomville; Ella Rhoades, Fostoria; Mary Armstrong, Republic; Lillie Suiter, Attica; J. W. Michener, Attica: Hettie Young, Tiffin; Ella Young, Tiffin; Velora Huddle, Tiffin; Mattie McHenry, West Lodi: Lillian Armstrong, Republic; J. P. Vickery, Clyde; Elnora Collier, Bellevue; D. W. Fisher, Bloomville; A. A. Krush, Bellevue; Mary Swope, Fostoria; J. K. Wolf, Bloomville; Katie Dormer, Fostoria; Nora Sloman, Tiffin; Sophia Fink, Berwick: Esther Allen, Melmore; Dora Downs, Melmore: Nettie Downs. Mel- more; Mrs. C. A. Norris, Republic; C. A. Norris, Republic; W. M. Baker, Republic; Callie Rickenbaugh, Tiffin: Cora Stinchcomb, Tiffin: Ethel Stewart, Bloomville; Mell Griffin, Republic; Nellie Griffin; Bloomville; A. Englehart, Attica; Clara Cooper, Attica; Millie Brant, Attica; J. J. Benninger, Morris; C. Cummings, Republic; C. C. Down, Watson; P. A. Tompkins, West Lodi: Ida Searing, Rockaway; Nelson Smeltz, Attica; M. F. Hosler, Attica; Homer Ste- phenson, Attica; Avilla Albright, Bloomville; C. M. Link, Attica; Lida Cunning- ham, Fostoria; Mrs. E. J. Lowery, Republic: Delia Collins, Morris; Maud Knepple, Morris; B. F. Myers, Tiffin; R. J. Dunn, Republic; N. R. Heaton, Tiffin; Homer Metzgar, Republic; C. E. Gulick, Tiffin; J. L. Newcomer, Bloomville; David Hull, Carrothers; D. M. Hull, Carrothers: James Carpenter, Republic; Sylvia Terwilliger, Flat Rock; Clara Decker, Bellevue.


The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted in the choice of the following:


President, E. C. Palmer, Republic; vice-president, R. B. Harris, Green Spring; secretary, Miss Lida Cunningham, Fostoria; assistant secretary, Miss Alta Keating, Tiffin; treasurer, B. F. Myers, Tiffin.


380


· HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.


CHAPTER XI.


RAILROADS.


S CARCELY ten years had elapsed from the time the Granite Quarry Railroad was built out from Quincy, Mass., in 1826, when the idea of railroad construc- tion crept across the Alleghenies and settled in Ohio. The Sandusky & Mans- field Railroad was begun prior to 1835. In 1832 there was held a railroad meeting at Tiffin, and in September, 1835, work was begun on the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad. Early in 1839 the whistle of the locomotive was heard within the boundaries of Seneca County, while above the noise of the train the song of the passengers could be heard:


"The mothers ran out with their children about, From every log-cabin they hail; The wood-chopper, he stood, delighted to see, The law makers ride on a rail ! The horses and cattle, as onward we rattle, Were never so frightened before; We are bound for the city that grows in the woods, The city by Honey Creek's shore."


Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad .- The question of constructing a railroad was brought before the people of this county in September, 1832, when Henry Cronise and Josiah Hedges, railroad commissioners, advertised in the Patriot that stock-books would be opened at Eli Norris' tavern October 4, that year. The work of construction was already in progress, the first sod being turned September 7, 1835, at Sandusky, by Gen. Harrison. The road was opened to Bellevue in September, 1838, to Republic in 1839 and to Tiffin in 1841, when a passenger train was run into the village by engineers Poppen- burg and Kerrian. The trains on the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad were running April 1, 1839, on regular time table. R. M. Shoemaker was engineer and superintendent.


From among the published reminiscences of this road the following sketch is selected: The line having been completed as far as Bellevue in the fall of 1838, the first train by locomotive power was chartered. Thomas Hogg was engineer; John Paull, since deceased, was fireman, and Charles Higgins, also deceased, was conductor. The train consisted of the "Sandusky" locomotive, a small passenger car, and a still smaller freight car, not exceeding twenty feet in length, which latter car remained for some time the only accomodation for conveying merchandise. This primitive combination started from the foot of Water Street, Sandusky, and, with "flying colors," made a single trip up and down daily. We are informed that the "Sandusky" was the first locomo- tive in America to which a regular steam whistle was applied. At this time, as above stated, the track was known as the "Mad River & Lake Erie Rail- road " and ran through Bellevue to Tiffin, via Republic. Another route was opened through Clyde, the old track taken up, and over 191 miles of rails operated under the title of the "Cincinnati, Sandusky & Cleveland Railroad, " including the branch road from Carey to Findlay.


This company issued the first report in June, 1849. It shows that the road from Sandusky to Springfield, 1343 miles, was built at a cost of $1,754,263.69.


381


HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.


For the eleven months ending June 1, 1849, the receipts from passenger traffic amounted to $147,162.16. and from freight to $151.003.45, total $298, 165.61. The expenditures amounted to $137,264.023. leaving net earnings for eleven months of $160,901.583. The rolling stock consisted of 17 old-time locomotives, 15 passenger cars, 8 eight-wheeled baggage cars and 310 freight cars, all cost- ing $264,522.873. The number of passengers transported during the eleven months was 77,194.


Indiana, Bloomington & Western Railroad .- The Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad Company, chartered January 5, 1832, located its road from Tiffin to Sandusky ria Bellevue, as shown in the history of that road. In 1851 the Sandusky City & Indiana Railroad Company commenced to build a parallel road ria Clyde, which was completed in 1854. and leased to the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad Company in December of that year. In June, previous, the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad Company leased for fifteen years the Springfield & Columbus Railroad, agreeing to pay operating expenses, interest on $150,000 out-bonds, the balance of earnings to go to lessor. February 23,1858, the Erie County Common Pleas Court decreed that the name of the company should be the Sandusky, Dayton & Cincinnati Railroad Company. In October, 1865, mortgages were foreclosed and O. Follet appointed receiver. In January, 1866, the road was sold to trustees representing the stockholders, and in July that year the company was reorganized as the Sandusky & Cincinnati Railroad Company. In October the road was leased to the C. D. & E. R. R. Company, but in January, 1868, the lease was surrendered to the Sandusky & Cincinnati Railroad Company. A few days later the title was changed to the Cincin- nati, Sandusky & Cleveland Railroad Company, who, in June, 1870, leased the road for 99 years to the Columbus, Springfield & Cincinnati Railroad Company. In March, 1881, the road was leased to the Indiana, Bloomington & Western Railroad Company for 99 years, and they now operate it. The road enters the county southwest of Adrian Village and leaves at Green Spring.


Melmore & Republic Railroad .- The books for this road were opened at Jacob Buskirk's house, in Melmore, Calvin Bradley's, in Tiffin, and Miller's, in Republic, July 4, 1836, but the road was never built.


Ohio, Miami & Wabash Railroad .- Subscription books for this proposed road were opened at John Park's house, Tiffin, May 30, 1836.


Fort Ball and Lower Sandusky Railroad .- A meeting of the stockholders was called at Lower Sandusky, April 15, 1846. The call was signed by Rufus W. Reid, H. C. Brish, Lorenzo Abbott, Ezra Baker, James Justice, Sardis Birchard, John R. Pease. R. P. Buckland and James Moore.


Tiffin & Fort Wayne Railroad .- This company was organized in November, 1853, with Josiah Hedges, W. H. Gibson, W. D. Scott, John D. Loomis, J. W. Wilson, George Knupp. William C. Hedges and A. C. Baldwin, corpora- tors. The capital stock was placed at $1,000,000. In the advertisement the names of R. G. Pennington and Joseph Walker appear. The chart of the road was prepared by Peter Ferguson, of Tiffin. The length of the proposed road was 102 miles, showing a total elevation of 239 feet and a total declination of 114 feet, thus leaving Fort Wayne twenty-five feet above the level of Tiffin.


Cleveland, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad (middle division-Tiffin & Fort Wayne). - This road commenced before the war, and, dormant for some years, was revived in the fall of 1865.


Columbus, Tiffin & Toledo Railroad .- A company was organized in 1869 for the purpose of constructing a railroad from Crestline to Toledo via Tiffin. In May, 1869, J. R. Straughan, chief engineer, presented his report on this. project to the Tiffin & Toledo Railroad Committees (R. G. Pennington repre- senting Tiffin), as follows:


382


HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.


"Their road is located to extend from the city of Toledo via Woodville and Tiffin to Crestline, a distance of seventy-five miles-having no obstacles to divert the line, and no costly spots to overcome.


The bridging, besides the river at Toledo, consists of three, each of about 260 feet in length, with rock foundations and convenient quarries of good building stone.


No grades greater than at the rate of forty feet per mile, and these only for short distances.


Preliminary lines have been run, profiles prepared and estimates made upon the whole line, except for the bridge and depots at Toledo. The estimated cost is $1,438.000.


The means relied upon consist of a cash local subscription of $500,000, and the issue of $1,200,000 of first mortgage bonds.


We have assurances from substantial capitalists in New York that these bonds can be sold at the usual favorable rates upon the amount of basis above mentioned.


As a necessary preliminary step, the people of Tiffin subscribed $100,000 to the capital stock, and organized the company by electing a board of direc- tors, with L. A. Hall for president and myself chief engineer.


They have allotted to each town and neighborhood along the line an amount of stock to be taken by each in order to aggregate $500,000, and most of the points have now made up, or nearly made up, their quota.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.